The busiest stretch of the BCHL season continues this week for the Langley Rivermen, as starting Monday the team will play 4 games over the next 7 days as part of the league high 12 games the team plays in the month of October.
It all starts on Monday at the Abbotsford Centre against the Sherwood Park Crusaders, Langley’s first game of the BCHL Showcase. The annual event put on by the BCHL is split between the Abbotsford Centre and the Chilliwack Coliseum this year, with the Vancouver Canucks putting on the event in collaboration with the BCHL. The Showcase gives NCAA and NHL scouts a chance to see the league’s best players up close and personal, and in two cities as part of the 5-day event.
This will be the first ever meeting between Sherwood Park and Langley, with the Rivermen getting another strong test early on in the season with what will be a physical Crusaders team.
Langley has collected a point in all but one of their first 8 games of the BCHL season, and they will be full of confidence after dispatching the Coquitlam Express 3-2 on Saturday at the George Preston Arena.
Sherwood Park are 5-2 to start the season, most recently winning 4-3 in overtime on Friday at the Coliseum against the Chiefs.
Sherwood Park play Surrey on Sunday in their first game of the Showcase, a 4pm puck drop at the Abbotsford Centre.
SHERWOOD PARK PLAYER TO WATCH
#22 Jeremy Loranger – a once Committed Rivermen player, the 2007 born forward has been on an absolute tear to start the season, collecting points in each of the Crusaders first 7 games going into Sunday’s matchup against the Eagles. The Trois-Rivieres product also has 4 multi points games, and will be someone the Rivermen will have to keep a close eye on for Monday’s contest.
The Rivermen then head out to Chilliwack on Thursday for their first and only meeting this season with the Okotoks Oilers, and first ever matchup against the squad from Alberta.
This will be Oilers second game of the Showcase, as they take on Penticton Tuesday for a 7pm puck drop at the Abbotsford Centre.
Coming into the Showcase, Okotoks dispatched the Prince George Spruce Kings at home on Saturday 6-3 after dropping their prior two games.
OKOTOKS PLAYER TO WATCH
#16 Jackson Rowland – the Calgary, Alberta born forward in his final year of junior eligibility has been cooking offensively for the Oilers coming into this week. After going pointless in his first three games, Rowland has picked up points in 4 straight, including two multi point efforts. Like many across the league, Rowland will be looking to vie for a scholarship in front of the watchful eyes of many NCAA scouts.
Friday is a good litmus test for Langley, as the Brooks Bandits roll into the George Preston Arena, giving Rivermen fans a great look at one of the BCHL’s top teams this season.
The Bandits play West Kelowna Wednesday, and Coquitlam on Thursday, so Langley will face what will surely be a tired Brooks team Friday who will be playing their third game in three days.
Brooks have not lost in 7 games to start the season, and will surely be looking to continue their strong play going into the BCHL showcase.
BROOKS PLAYER TO WATCH
#22 Parker Lalonde – the Aberdeen, Saskatchewan born forward has been a key cog of the Bandits the last few seasons in the AJHL, carrying into the BCHL last spring and into the fall this year. The former Powell River King has three multi goal games coming into the BCHL showcase, and 5 times he has collected more than one point in a game. Langley’s defence will have to keep a keen eye on the Merrimack commit.
Sunday’s game in Coquitlam against the Express will end a busy week for Langley, but they can certainly not take the home team lightly, as Coquitlam has been on a tear to start the season.
Coquitlam take on Brooks and Spruce Grove at the Showcase, as they look to show their strong play in front of the scouts and fans.
COQUITLAM PLAYER TO WATCH
#8 Nate Crema – the speedy forward has already equaled his goal output from last season with 4, and there is still ¾ of the BCHL season to go. Also scoring 3 goals in his last 5, the 2006 born Burnaby, BC product will look to earn a scholarship in his second BCHL season.
RIVERMEN PLAYER TO WATCH THIS WEEK
#23 Tyler Chan – the Rivermen captain missed out on Saturday’s game against the Express due to suspension, but will be ready to go on Monday against Sherwood Park as he looks to earn a scholarship in his second to last year of eligibility. Not only does Chan play the game the right way with his physical presence, he has also helped his team offensively, collecting a goal and four assists through the team’s 7 games.
